In every great dynasty, there are the unsung players who play the support role to the stars of the team. For 17 seasons, Jorge Posada has played his particular part well. As the remnants of that last great dynasty are beginning to finally erode, the Yankees are in that transition phase where saying goodbye is necessary, but entirely awkward.

The catcher’s tenure in the Bronx resulted in a .273/.374/.474 batting line along with four World Series titles. Posada wasn’t the star of the team with Jeter and Rivera present along with some high priced free agents brought in along the way, but he represented what fans liked most about the team. He was a homegrown guy who was playing a position that didn’t come naturally to him. He was one of the few core players who showed any type of emotion. He may not have been the star, but Jorge Posada was certainly the heart of the New York Yankees since 1998.

To read the rest of this article and more about the Yankees, click here for a FREE DOWNLOAD of Gotham Baseball’s Winter Issue.

Gotham Baseball, the official magazine of the 2012 Mohegan Sun World Baseball & Softball Coaches’ Convention, is proud to announce the release of the 2011=2012 Winter Issue, which includes a complete guide to the event beginning Thursday, Jan 19, 2012 at the spectacular Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in Uncasville, CT.

The Winter Issue and Convention Guide is available for FREE download here:

http://gothambaseball.com/GB006_WINTER2011.pdf

Gotham Baseball covers the past, present and future of New York baseball, and in this latest issue, which features a pair of aces; New York Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia and New York Mets southpaw Johan Santana. Gary Armida profiles Sabathia’s return in “The Big Man is Back”, while Healey opines that for the Mets, “The Ace is The Whole”.

Also in the issue:

The Catcher Says Bye – Yankees catcher Jorge Posada is retiring. Armida takes a look at his great career.

The Magic is Back? – Joseph M. Lara tries to make some sense of the current Mets by looking at the past Mets.

Reading By The Hot Stove – Jerry Milani reviews some of his top choices for offseason reading.

The issue also includes a comprehensive guide to the three-day event, which will once again feature some of the world’s top baseball instructors in a range of settings, including new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine, New York Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long, pitching guru Rick Peterson and softball star Jennie Finch.

Baseball Digest’s online editor Mark Healey, who is the founder of Gotham Baseball, will also be in attendance, manning BD affiliate Gotham Baseball’s booth with GB Co-Publisher Joseph M. Lara.

The Winter Issue and Convention Guide is available for FREE download here:

http://gothambaseball.com/GB006_WINTER2011.pdf

For more info visit the official site for the event or call 860.674.1500

This coming Monday, former Gotham Baseball scribe Howard Megdal, the author of Wilpon’s Folly joins Mark Healey on “Baseball Digest LIVE” at 10am ET

In case you haven’t heard, the Fred Wilpon / Saul Katz ownership group is in a bit of trouble these days, and no one, and I mean no one has been doing a better job of reporting on this mess than Megdal.

In the course of a year, the public has become far more aware of ownership’s financial problems. Anger among the team’s supporters is at an extraordinary level, with even the most innocuous postings on Metsblog.com, for instance, attracting dozens of exhortations to Fred Wilpon to liberate the team from its ruinous off-the-field problems by selling it. And these are the committed fans; many others are simply tuning the Reyes-less Mets out.

“Wilpon’s Folly” is a comprehensive look at just how dismal the financial outlook of the Wilpon / Katz ownership is. But it is also incredibly accessible, and in stark contrast to what many folks are writing about the Mets these days, an objective and agenda-free read.

***

While Megdal’s book and many other reports these days concern the team’s finances, most of what I have written about over the years about the Mets is about the dysfunction of ownership and its relationship with the front office. Let’s face it, if the Mets were a well-run organization, or even remotely proficient in their ability to procure talent, the financial problems would be difficult, yes, but not impossible to overcome. I mean, really, people who love to blame Omar Minaya solely for the sloppiness of the last few years either have a short memory or are just plain ignorant.

I don’t mean to absolve any Mets GM of the last 25 or so years for mistakes they’ve made, but to think that Fred Wilpon has kept himself free and clear of any decisions except to say ok to money transactions is as big a joke as the charde of a GM “search” that was conducted last winter.

As for sloppiness, remember this debacle?

Wow, talk about foreshadowing. I have grown to respect Steve Phillips as a colleague at SiriusXM, and as I have researched his tenure, can pretty much identify which deals he was in front of and which ones he wasn’t.

Phillips took a leave of absence on Nov. 8, the eve of important general manager meetings at which teams pursue trades and free agents. He was immediately, and somewhat reluctantly, replaced by Frank Cashen, who had last served as the Mets’ general manager in 1991. Cashen made one deal while he was in charge — acquiring the controversial ex-Met Bobby Bonilla for the unpopular reliever Mel Rojas, a trade that Phillips had laid the groundwork for before he stepped aside.

Did Phillips lay the groundwork for a deal involving Bonilla? Or simply talk to the Dodgers about Rojas? Hard to figure out all of the years later, especially when all of the GMs and other front office people that leave the Mets need to sign non-disclosure agreements. In any event, listen to this doozy of a quote from Fred Wilpon regarding the return of Bobby Bonilla.

‘I can’t predict what’s going to happen,” said Wilpon, a Bonilla believer. ”He’s a different guy. He has the strongest desire I’ve ever heard about not ending his career without making it in New York. That’s motivation. I have high regard for what he has left. I think he will be an important addition to this club.”

Wilpon, who has seen major off-season moves backfire before, acknowledged that bringing Bonilla back is a calculated risk, but he believes Bonilla has another motivating factor working in his behalf.

”He has one wonderful, smart and strong-willed wife,” Wilpon said of Millie Bonilla. ”She loves Greenwich, where they live. She’s ecstatic. She wants to be here. They want to be here. It makes a difference. He’s going to live in Greenwich when he’s through playing. So he has a lot of motivation.”

So, the owner is a “Bonilla believer” and he was traded for during Philips’ leave of absence by Frank Cashen? C’mon, you can’t make this stuff up. I don’t what I enjoy more, the “high regard” comment or the monologue about how Mrs. Bonilla was going to “motivate” Bobby to play better.

The case for Gil Hodges in the Hall of Fame is both statistical and emotional. It also points out all of the inconsistencies that go into the flawed process of choosing Hall of Famers.

Considered by many to be the finest fielding right-handed first baseman in the history of baseball, and certainly among the top five of all-time, Gil Hodges is currently the best player eligible for the Hall of Fame who is not in.  There are at least 10 players less deserving of enshrinement gracingCooperstown’s hallowed Hall.

The question is when will the veterans’ committee, made up solely of members of the Hall of Fame correct this mistake.

After his first year on the ballot (at one point writers kept deserving players off their ballots in the players first year of eligibility, reserving first year votes for only the best of the best) no player who ever finished ahead of Hodges in the balloting has not been elected to the Hall of Fame.  Of those who finished ahead of him in his initial year on the ballot, only Marty Marion, Allie Reynolds, Joe Gordon and Johnny Vandermeer were not ultimately enshrined.  Both Marion and Gordon are considered by many to be deserving players who have been slighted.  (Editor’s Note:  Since this was first published, Gordon was chosen to the Hall of Fame, in 2009).

The list of players Hodges finished ahead of in the voting, and the number of times that he did it – is impressive.

What is interesting is the comparison with former Brooklyn and (Los Angeles) teammate Duke Snider.  Coming onto the ballot one year later, it took Snider seven years to get to a level of support that Hodges had on every ballot after his first, and eight tries to pass Hodges in the balloting, finally accomplishing it in 1978.

The Fall 2010 Issue of Gotham Baseball is available FREE for download to your computer or mobile device.

If this was a comparison of peers, similar to the Peyton Manning versus Tom Brady arguments that dominated talk-radio in November, Hodges would have a clear advantage, having beaten Snider the first seven times they went against each other.

In 1980, Snider was elected to the Hall of Famer in his 10th year on the ballot.  Obviously, many writers took their time determining that the Duke of Flatbush was a Hall-of-Famer.  Makes you wonder what made them change their mind.  A comparison of the two teammates shows some interesting things. Snider was a eight-time all-star, who drove in over 100 runs six times, and hit 40+ home runs four straight years.

Hodges, was also an eight time all-star, and drove in 100 runs seven straight seasons.  Hodges had three gold gloves, Snider none, but was in competition with Willie Mays and Richie Ashburn, so the comparison may be a bit unfair.

Snider seemed to burn brighter, Hodges more consistently.  So what happened? Numerous things could have hurt Hodges candidacy.  His untimely death in 1972 removed him from the public eye, and after initial spike in the voting, Hodges did not pick up much more additional support.

Additionally, few have argued how Hodges stacked up with Whitey Lockman, Joe Collins, Moose Skowron, Bill White and Orlando Cepeda at first base.  Hodges was clearly the best.  But the Reese vs Rizzuto (both in) and Willie, Mickey and The Duke (all three in) were emotional debates that continued into the seventies and beyond, keeping all in the front of voters minds.  Everyone knows Terry Cashman’s song.  Only Mays and Mantle were unquestionably better than Hodges.

The bitterness over George Steinbrenner and the Yankees heavy-handed tactics in getting Phil Rizzuto in may have also backfired against Hodges, particularly with non-NewYork based voters.  A backlash against a perception of too many Dodgers, Yankees and Giants in the Hall could have also contributed.

The Gold Glove award was not awarded until 1957, and Hodges won the first three. But his career was winding down by that point.  Who knows how many he would have won earlier in his career. Snider, with Mays and Ashburn as contemporaries, was unlikely to ever win a Gold Glove for centerfield play.

Lastly, the turmoil that was Shea Stadium from the death of Joan Payson until 1982, certainly had to hurt Hodges. The Dodgers have been criticized by many for abandoning theirBrooklynstars during that era, concentrating on those who went west.  The Mets, for whom Hodges also had his number retired after winning the 1969 World Series, were expected to carry the ball on his candidacy.  Like most other things in that era, they dropped it.

Richie Ashburn and Red Schoendienst both had tremendous support of their teams leading the push to get them through the veterans committee, which led up to their elections. The Wilpons, devotees of everythingBrooklyn, have not made this more of an issue since taking ownership of the team.

Realistically, Hodges is on the border statistically as an offensive player.  Injuries limited the end of his career, keeping him at 370 home runs, short of the 400 that was a magic number of sorts for players of his era.  Playing in a stadium that favored left-handed hitters for most of his career, his reputation as a clutch hitter was deserved.

While his post-season history has on it one of the worst post-seasons ever (an 0-21 in 1952) he bounced back to post solid numbers in 1953, 1955, 1956 and 1959, raising his career post-season average to .267.

Few in baseball were ever held in as high esteem as a person as Hodges, both as a player and a manager. Brooklynfans flocked to their churches to pray for him during his slump in the 1952 Series, which inspired the title of a best selling book, Praying For Gil Hodges.

As a manager, he took over a franchise that epitomized ineptitude, and won a pennant in his second year, was over .500 three of his four years as manager, and finished with a .530 winning percentage as Mets manager overall.  He inspired such respect that Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver still refers to him as Mr. Hodges when speaking of the ’69 Mets.

The reality is, baseball needs to induct Hodges as soon as possible.  While his 370 home runs are no longer eye-popping in comparison to the numbers of Rafael Palmiero and Mark McGuire, the contrasts between those modern sluggers and Hodges could not be greater.  No suggestion of steroids, amphetamines, corked bats, or cheating of any kind where Hodges was concerned.

If Joe Morgan is truly as outraged by the modern player and the influences of performance enhancing substances, then he should join Seaver in championing Hodges inclusion.  The Hall could use a man whose numbers are untainted by suspicion, whose character is unquestioned.

Offensively, Hodges numbers are on par with Snider, Cepeda and a more modern contemporary, Tony Perez.  Defensively, Hodges is to first base what Ozzie Smith is to shortstop, Bill Mazeroski to second base, Brooks Robinson to third – all Hall of Famers, while a far superior offensive player.

So why is he missing from the Hall?

(Lynbrook, New York)  Mark Healey, the founder of Gotham Baseball magazine, and Joseph M. Lara, the owner of JML Media, LLC  are proud to announce the online release of the Fall 2011 issue of digital version of Gotham Baseball magazine.

Gotham Baseball, which launched in April of 2005, is dedicated to the celebration of the Past, Present and Future of New York Baseball.

READ THE NEW GOTHAM BASEBALL – FALL 2011 ISSUE  HERE

“Since starting Gotham Baseball, it never ceases to amaze me how exciting the release of each new issue is for me,”  Healey said. “The things that are in the works for Gotham make it even more so. The response to our digital product has been incredible, and this latest issue is deserving of that same praise.”

This past April, Gotham Baseball was re-released in magazine form for the first time since 2008.

“When you have a magazine that has already found a place in Cooperstown, I knew I needed to find the right type of partnership to bring Gotham Baseball back in magazine form,” Healey said. “Joe Lara’s JML Media and Stacy Lavender and her design team from BallyHoo Media have done an incredible job since coming on board.”

Once a print publication, the entire print run of Gotham Baseball  is part of the permanent archive at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s A. Bartlett Giamatti Research Center in Cooperstown, NY. The new Gotham Baseball is a digital product, available for download on all mobile devices.

READ THE NEW GOTHAM BASEBALL – FALL 2011 ISSUE HERE

“I’m extremely proud of this issue and what we are accomplishing each day with Gotham Baseball,” Lara said. “The world of New York Baseball is a never ending story, and we’re bringing it to our readers from every unique angle whether looking back at titans like The Say Hey Kid, The Mick, and the Duke of Flatbush, looking forward with our All-Gotham team full of the best up and coming college students from our area, or grabbing a beer and a bite at Foley’s the ultimate New York sports bar.

We are easily the most entertaining, enjoyable, and high quality read on the market. We are truly the 21st Century home of the New York Game and we’re cooking up some awesome things to come!”

The magazine’s digital version will feature several writers from the print edition, providing comprehensive coverage of all facets of the New York game from college to the minors to the majors.

In addition to another incredible cover illustration by Gotham Baseball’s own John Pennisi, other highlights of the Fall 2011 issue include:

The Leadoff Spot – Shai Kushner and Gary Armida debate who has the toughest jobs in Sports, New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi or New York Mets manager Terry Collins.

The All Gotham Team – Chip Armonaitis selects the members of the 2011 All-Gotham Collegiate Baseball Team.

Cooperstown Archive – Cecilia Tan shares an incredible baseball moment in “The More Things Change”, as she recounts the time legendary Christopher Morley took in a ballgame; the 1921 World Series.

Crowding The Plate – “Foley’s NY”, also known as the “Irish Bar With a Baseball Attitude” is lauded by Jerry Milani as the best baseball bar in Gotham.

On Deck – Jessica Quiroli makes her Gotham debut with a feature on Tommy Phelps, the pitching coach for the Double-A Trenton Thunder the Eastern League Affiliate of the New York Yankees.

Going Nine – Mark Healey’s critically-acclaimed column this time revolves around former Mets owner and Chairman Nelson Doubleday,k who saved the Mets from the ruins of the late 1970′s.

Other articles include “Full Circle”, a look back at the Mets career of Jason Isringhausen, “Sixty Summers” a visual essay noting the summer of 1951, the first time NYC boasted the future HOF trio of Willie. Mickey and the Duke.

About JML Media Group, LLC

JML Media Group, LLC is a multi-faceted Queens, NY based media corporation specializing in re-shaping the way people view local media.  Since 2006, JML Media has changed the face of local publishing with its two marquee products Forest Hills and Astoria Celebrity Magazines, producing the quality of major national titles on a municipal and localized level, as well as garnering a reputation for accessibility and social responsibility.

About Gotham Baseball

Gotham Baseball was founded and first published in 2005. Its mission is to fully cover the past, present and future of the New York baseball. Gotham Baseball, first recognized by Amazon.com as one of the Top 10 New magazines of 2005 (and the only sports magazine on the list), reports the latest news, photos and features on the New York game, from the big leagues, the minor leagues and independent leagues, from the Old Time game to the college game. For more information, visit Gotham Baseball online at GothamBaseball.com

###

For more information or to schedule an interview with Mark Healey or Joseph M. Lara, please contact Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis at (201) 288-6312 or email, faithpr@optonline.net.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Faith Ballantine-Armonaitis

Tel. 201.288.6312

Email: faithpr@optonline.net

There were a lot of people who didn’t think Texas would get back to the championship after losing Cliff Lee to free agency. But C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Matt Harrison, and Derek Holland all remained steady, and Alexi Ogando gave the team a big boost in the first half with his promotion to the starting rotation.  Texas is now just four victories away from returning to the World Series, which they lost in five games to the San Francisco Giants last season.

The Rangers eliminated the red hot Tampa Bay Rays in four games in the first round division series, despite a poor performance in Game one from their #1  starter (Wilson). But Lewis limited the Rays to hit one over six innings, and Holland and Harrison threw five solid innings each. Though manager Ron Washington didn’t get a lot of innings out of his starters, he got effective innings, and the Rangers bullpen did a nice job of bridging the gap to closer Neftali Feliz.

The Wall St. Journal’s Matthew Futterman wonders “Is Nolan Ryan the Perfect Owner?“

The staff did the job in the ALCS when they defeated the Yankees in the ’10 post-season. Lewis, who has been bothered by a sore hip this season, beat the Yankees twice and Wilson threw a solid seven before the bullpen blew the lead and the first game of the series. Holland came out of the pen to earn a pivotal win in Game 4 and will likely follow up Wilson with a Game 2 start in this year’s ALCS. Ogando was a key to the Rangers’ pen last season and could bolster the pen again this year, especially with Mike Adams struggling in his first post-season appearance.

Texas will still be looking for some offensive outbursts, not just solo home runs -though no one has complained about Adrian Beltre’s trio – like they hit in the final game of the ALDS. Even Beltre was a no-show in the first three games, going 1-11. Cruz (1-15), Andrus (2-14), Young (2-15), and Mitch Moreland (1-10) didn’t exactly have series to write home about either. The Rangers offense will need to produce more in case the starting staff and/or pen falters.

Yahoo Sports’ John Bowman looks at the expanding role for Rangers sub Craig Gentry.

Pitching and defense wins championships, but being able to outscore your opponent doesn’t either.

Notes

Mike Napoli, who took a big hit in a home plate collision with the Rays’ Sean Rodriguez in Game 4, said that he’s fine and is ready to go for the ALCS. He did swallow his chewing tobacco though, not a pleasant experience.

Ron Washington is not expected to make any changes to his roster.

]]> http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/10/texas-will-go-as-far-as-their-arms-will-take-them/feed/ 0 http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/10/burnett-shines-game-5-to-decide/ http://www.gothambaseball.com/2011/10/burnett-shines-game-5-to-decide/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:51:12 +0000 Gary Armida http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=10510 There are a million reasons to love the game of baseball. The timelessness, the artistry, the one on one confrontation between a batter and a pitcher, the careful choreography of a defense when turning a double play, and the suicide squeeze. The list could go on and on, but the one unique thing that Baseball offers its fan is the ability to share a connection to its players. The pace of the game along with the individual exposure of each player over the course of a season allows fans to feel as if they know the players they root for. This connection allows players such as Jeter, Pujols, and Halladay transcend the sport and into the consciousness of society. The connection also has a downside; it can sometimes turn against a player. A.J. Burnett, amongst a few Yankees, knows exactly how that feels.

Burnett has always been the most scrutinized Yankee since he signed the 5 year $82.5 million deal. All of that scrutiny has to do with his salary as Burnett has always been that high-potential, low-consistency pitcher. If not for the overvalued contract, Burnett would likely be accepted as an average pitcher who can pitch well for periods of time. But, that salary has led to Burnett being the unwanted Yankee pitcher; the one pitcher who fans don’t want to see on the mound. Because of the game one rainout, Burnett was forced into making a start.

There as an impending sense of doom as Burnett walked to the mound to start the bottom of the first inning. The Yankee season hung in the balance with their most inconsistent, and for a time during the season, their worst starting pitcher. Although Burnett had pitched well during his last start of the regular season, many did not expect Burnett to be capable of pitching in the moment. Whenever there has been a scintilla of expectations placed on Burnett, he seemed to pitch poorly. In August, during the real pennant race, Burnett posted an ERA over 11. In truth, the dominant A.J. Burnett never really showed up this season. There were good stretches, but they were far from the dominance he has shown in the past. There seemed to be absolutely no hope that Burnett would be able to keep the Yankees in the game.

But, this is A.J. Burnett we are talking about. Expectations and Burnett don’t usually meet.

This time, Burnett gave the Yankees exactly what they needed. He didn’t give up a hit until the fourth. He limited the damage in a potentially disastrous fourth inning, a type of disastrous inning that has plagued Burnett all season. It started to look that way after Burnett walked Austin Jackson, Miguel Cabrera, and Victory Martinez. He wiggled out of that jam and would allow just one baserunner in the second and third innings, another walk. He would give up a solo homerun to Victor Martinez in the top of the fourth and a double later in the inning, but Burnett once again got out of trouble, cutting off the potential disaster inning. It is a trademark that he has been missing throughout this regular season.

In all, Burnett gave the Yankees 5.2 innings and allowed 4 hits, 1 run, 4 walks, and struck out  3 batters. It doesn’t look all that dominant, but considering his tough first inning and the fact that he induced 10 groundball outs, Burnett really limited the Tigers in the Yankees’ most important game. ”I told you that his stuff is so good that he could shut you down. We smoked the ball early when he wasn’t sharp early, but he threw well,” said Jim Leyland.  Yankees Manager Joe Girardi has been the guy who had to take the ball from Burnett when things weren’t going well this season. There have been some heated exchanges by the dejected Burnett. This time there was no exchange. Burnett did his job. “I was proud of what he did. In the biggest game of the year, he had his best outing of the season,” said Girardi.

For Burnett, it obviously was a big start. Typically humble, Burnett credited his teammates. ”It’s big. Like I said, we don’t win tonight without defense. Curtis, the way Al (Alex Rodriguez) played third,” stated Burnett. But, it was more than just his teammates. Burnett was able to shake off a shaky first inning and pitch like the number two pitcher the Yankees had envisioned. ”Maybe it took me just 25 to 30 (pitches) to get loose. I was able to find a rhythm after the first. It was pretty nerve-wracking at first. I hadn’t been out there in a while.” Once he settled in, he gave the Yankees more than they had expected.

But, Burnett has been in these spots before. It’s easy to forget his 2009 World Series performance. ”A.J. has pitched some big games for us in the past. He came in confident and relaxed. He deserves a lot of credit. He’s the reason why we get to play again,” said Derek Jeter.

Another aspect of Baseball’s beauty is that it allows for redemption. With so many games, players often get their second chances. Burnett has been much maligned all season. Game four allowed him to completely erase the negative from his 2011 season. He won the game that saved the Yankees season and allow them to play another game.

While the story is Burnett, the Yankees’ were saved by their MVP candidate Curtis Granderson. Burnett was shaky in the first inning. Don Kelly ripped a line drive to centerfield. Granderson made one of the more spectacular catches to save the inning. Had that bases loaded hit fallen, Burnett is likely out of the game and the Yankees are behind 3-0 before the end of the first inning. ”It’s funny, sometimes you pick a key out in a game. I thought it was in the first inning when Donnie Kelly smoked the ball and Granderson makes that play,” said Leyland. Girardi at first thought that Kelly’s hit would be caught. Then, he got worried. ”I thought that it was going to be an out and then it kept carrying and carrying. Curtis made two great plays tonight. If he doesn’t make that play (in the first inning), it could’ve been a different game,” said Girardi.

Granderson’s defensive heroics were backed by the awakening of the Yankees’ offense. Rick Porcello matched Burnett with zeroes in the first two innings, but Derek Jeter doubled over Austin Jackson’s head to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead by scoring Jorge Posada and Russell Martin. Those two runs seemed to relax the Yankees. Porcello held them in check in the fourth, but the Yankees finally began to hit in the fifth inning. Martin and Gardner both singled to start the inning. After a force out on a Jeter bunt attempt, Granderson doubled in Gardner. Alex Rodriguez would follow a Robinson Cano walk with a sacrifice fly to give the Yankees a 4-1 lead. Porcello would give the Tigers six solid innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits, 1 walk, and 5 strikeouts. Phil Coke would come on to pitch a scoreless seventh, but would be left in to start the 8th.

The Yankees bats woke up in the 8th inning. Alex Rodriguez got his first hit of the series to leadoff the inning. 11 more batters would follow as the Yankees would batter the Tigers’ bullpen for 6 runs on 7 hits in the 8th inning. Rodriguez would add another hit in the inning to finish the night 2 for 4 with an RBI. Rookie catcher Jesus Montero would pinch hit for Posada during the inning and get his first career post season hit. He would add another hit in the 9th. Boone Logan would close out the 10-1 Yankees victory to force a final game five at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night. It will be a rematch of game one relievers Doug Fister and Ivan Nova.

Heading into the series, both teams looked even. Even Jim Leyland isn’t surprised to be returning to the Bronx. ”It doesn’t surprise me that this series is going five games. It’s not surprise,” said Leyland.

Many will try, but projecting a single baseball game is nearly impossible. Many take Ivan Nova as a given for the Yankees because of his stellar season and equally stellar performance in game one. But, he is a rookie and will be pitching in the most pressure filled game of his career. Doug Fister had an ugly final line in game one–4.2 innings, 7 hits, 6 runs, 6 strikeouts–but, he has been the Tigers’ second best pitcher since coming to Detroit. Both bullpens are rested. Both can throw any one of their starters in relief. With these two teams, a win or go home game will provide dramatics and great performances. There are far too many stars on the field from Miguel Cabrera to Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Victor Martinez, and Curtis Granderson. Justin Verlander and C.C. Sabathia could play a role. It is a star studded game. It looks to be the best that Baseball has to offer.

As for Burnett, he walks out of Comerica Park the winning pitcher in the 2011 Yankees’ most important game to date. For that, there is a bit of redemption. Even the Yankees captain sees this. ”Trust me, I am sure New York fans will remember this game more than any other game,” stated Jeter.

A redemption story followed by a decisive game 5, two of the millions of reasons to love Baseball.

Playoff Baseball is a completely different set of circumstances. Pitching takes priority and in most cases, 6 innings and 4 runs will not be enough to win. The Yankees were hoping to repeat their 2009 plan of using just three starters and allowing their ace C.C. Sabathia to make two starts in a 5 game series. But, Mother Nature had different plans with the game one rainout. Sabathia would only get to pitch one game, a game three match up with Justin Verlander. Now, the Yankees would have to reach beyond their third starter. They reached to the one pitcher they’ve been trying to avoid all year.

For all of the records, the future Hall of Famers, and for all of the 97 wins, the single most important game of the Yankees season comes down to Allan James Burnett.

A.J. Burnett has been a source of frustration for both the Yankees and their fans with his inconsistent performance since he came to New York in 2009. At times, Burnett looks like one of the most dominant starters in the game. At other times, he looks like he barely belongs in a Major League rotation. It has been that way for most of Burnett’s career as his potential had never really caught up to his results. The word potential is thrown around quite a bit in Baseball circles. It is usually reserved for young, unproven talent with a lot of tools. But, that word has followed Burnett into his 30′s. His tools always leave us wanting more.

The source of frustration stems from the trademark Burnett inconsistency. Has has never, in any of his 13 seasons, put it all together for a complete season. The Marlins stuck with him through injuries because the young right hander could reach into the upper 90′s. Once he learned some control and how to be consistent, the Marlins would have an ace. He never really fulfilled his promise in Florida, but Toronto decided they could harness that potential and gave him $55 million over 4 seasons. He showed glimpses and seemed to have, at the very least,  learned how to stay healthy from Roy Halladay. The Yankees decided that his half season of dominance in 2008 was enough to give him a five year, $82.5 million deal. Potential can make you do some crazy things, not to mention spend an insane amount of money.

For the past two seasons, Burnett hasn’t been all that inconsistent. He’s had streaks of quality performances, but his poor performance streak has gone on for longer stretches. That has resulted in a two year record of 21-26 with a 5.20 ERA in 65 starts. The lone positive is that Burnett has been able to make all of his starts and give the Yankees close to 200 innings each season. But, with declining stuff, Burnett’s good performances have been less dominant. He began the season with a 4-1 record with a 3.86 ERA in his first 6 starts. He gave close to league average results over his next 16 starts, but fell into a funk in late July and for the entire month of August. In 5 August starts, Burnett would allow 44 hits in 22.2 innings. His 11.91 ERA would ordinarily be grounds for dismissal. But, the Yankees continue to stick with their enigmatic right hander.

The potential, however, is always there. Even now. As poor as Burnett has pitched this season, his final start of the season is one that left everyone wondering if he was about to go on his trademark hot streak. Against a desperate Red Sox team, Burnett hurled 7.2 innings while allowing 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 6  strikeouts. It is that type of performance that keeps getting Burnett the ball. He is capable of shutting down an offense. Even with the diminished stuff, Burnett can still be an average pitcher. At 34 years old, he still has the potential to do that.

The Yankees are pinning their hopes on the latter version of AJ Burnett; they have no choice That version throws strikes, has a ton of movement, and misses bats. The other version gives up 7 runs in 4.1 innings on 13 hits. The latter Burnett tries, but his inconsistency forces him to put more pitches close to the strike zone. The Yankee season essentially comes down to a flip of the coin. Yankees Manager Joe Girardi is outwardly optimistic. He has to be. ”I feel good about what A.J. is going to do for us,” said Girardi.

The Yankees are here for a variety of reasons. The Tigers have outplayed them in most facets of the game. Rain did alter their plans and also impact the preparation for their ace. Sabathia looked to be laboring after starting on 3 days rest, even if Girardi didn’t see it that way. ”It was a small strike zone tonight,” said Girardi. Sabathia fought through some wildness and his lack of put away stuff to keep the game close. Sabathia pitched into the 6th inning, but allowed 7 hits and 6 walks along with 4 runs. It could have been worse considering all of the baserunners. Sabathia was able to get out of most trouble.

The Yankees do credit for getting 4 runs off of Justin Verlander. He started slow with many of his first inning pitches up in the strike zone. The Yankees grabbed two quick runs in the first, but Verlander gradually began to settle in. Consistently hitting 100 MPH and up on the radar gun, Verlander was overpowering. He pitched 8 innings, allowed 6 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, and struck out 11 batters. ”Obviously, when you throw 100, the changeup will be effective,” said Girardi of Verlander. “He was terrific. There was a couple of times he got over-amped and probably tried to go for a strikeout, but he got through it. He was terrific,” said Tigers Manager Jim Leyland.

The Yankees evened the game in the 7th, but Delmon Young hit a solo homerun off of an otherwise dominant Rafael Soriano. That would prove to be enough for the Tigers to take control of the series. “This team has a never say die attititude. We come from behind. Top to bottom, we can hurt you,” said Justin Verlander.

Now, it all leads to A.J. Burnett. The Yankees most enigmatic starter now has the big say on the result of the 2011 Yankees’ season and this series. Burnett has the potential to dominate the Tigers’ lineup. He also has the potential to be the pitcher that he was in August. An elimination game is always stressful. It just makes it more fun that one team won’t know what they are getting from their starting pitcher. Joe Girardi will have a quick hook with Burnett. The win or go home atmosphere won’t allow him to be patient and wait for some of Burnett’s potential.

Burnett enters this start with minimal expectations. In fact, few believe he will pitch well in this moment. That is how far Burnett has fallen. With those kinds of expectations, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Burnett throw well because that’s what he does. He confounds us every time he takes the mound and has a way of surprising. A positive start would be unexpected. It would be so like A.J. Burnett to do that.

Cabrera staked Scherzer to a 2-0 lead, a score that would remain the same until the sixth inning when he would again drive in a run against Garcia with a single up the middle. Garcia, who had allowed just 1 hit since Cabrera’s first inning homerun, would finally succumb to some fatigue with Cabrera’s single, followed by a Victor Martinez single. Garcia’s final line of 5.1 innings, 6 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 0 walks, and 6 strikeouts looks pedestrian, but from innings two through 5, he successfully kept  the Tigers’ lineup off balance and off the scoreboard.

Cabrera would finish the day with 3 hits in 4 at bats with the 1 homerun and 3 RBI. It is the type of dominant performance that the Tigers need as the rest of the lineup can be pitched to. Cabrera is the best hitter in the series and the Tigers need to exploit that advantage. For a hitter with such talent, it is odd that Cabrera is somewhat underrated. He won’t be mentioned as a serious MVP candidate, but that looks to be an injustice. He led the American League in hitting with a .344/.448/.586 slash line with a league leading 48 doubles, 30 homeruns, and 105 RBI.

Perhaps the glancing over of his Pujols-like seasons is due to the perception that he is somewhat of a lazy player and does not play the game “the right way”. The perception is exacerbated by his two incidents involving alcohol over the past few seasons. But, a player with a career .317/.395/.555 batting line is someone who has elite skills. His Manager also describes a player who may just be misunderstood.  ”He has a lot of energy. What comes out of Cabrera, if you watch him, is how much he loves to play the game. He’s like a big kid, or a little kid, however you want to look at it. He just loves to play the game. He’s the most instinctive player I have. He’s smart. When I mess up, he knows it. Not all of them do, but he does,” said Jim Leyland.

That doesn’t sound like a player who isn’t into the game. Perhaps his game two performance will have some sort of impact on how he perceived around Baseball. Cabrera has appeared in the post season once before as a 20 year old rookie for the 2003 World Champion Florida Marlins. His first post season homerun was hit against Roger Clemens. He added his second career homerun at a time that the Tigers needed a jump in an important game two. For Cabrera, the chance to get back to the post season means so much. “A lot. We work for this. We work to get to the playoffs. We work to get a chance to win the World Series, if you get a chance. When you’re here, you have nothing to lose. You have to go out there and play hard and try and do your job,” said Cabrera.

While the offensive story was all about Cabrera, the Tigers most dominant player was right hander Max Scherzer. The day didn’t start that way as Scherzer threw 11 of 12 pitches out of the strike zone in the first inning. But, after walking two batters in the first inning, Scherzer would settle in. Even the hit he gave up, wasn’t hit hard. Robinson Cano would bloop a hit to left field to get the Yankees in the hit column. He’d give up a walk and hit in the seventh before giving way to Joaquin Benoit. Scherzer ended the night with six shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits, 4 walks, and striking out 5.

Max Scherzer is no stranger to expectations. He’s been a pitcher who has dominant stuff, but has failed to find any sort of consistency. The 26 year old averages 8.7 K/9, but has also allowed 69 homeruns over the past three seasons. This season has been his most inconsistent. He allowed 29 homeruns, 207 hits in 195 innings, and posted a career high 4.43 ERA. But, he posted the best walk rate of his career while maintaining his strikeout rate. Scherzer is expected to be the Tigers’ second starter, but obviously hasn’t put together a season that has lived up to his expectations. Game two showed the full potential of the young right hander who was acquired by the Tigers in that three-way trade that involved Curtis Granderson, Austin Jackson, and Ian Kennedy. When locked in, Scherzer can dominate a game.

Leyland was effusive with his praise of his pitcher. “Well, you never know what’s going to happen. Big stage, and he was terrific. There was no question about it, he was terrific today against a great lineup. He powered the ball pretty good, mixed his pitches well, got some outs with change ups. He pitched a terrific game,” stated Leyland.

Like Ivan Nova in game one, Scherzer showed remarkable poise for a big moment in a park that is conducive to homeruns. “ I think he’s a real thought out guy. I think he zeroed in today. He was locked in. He was determined,” said Leyland. For Scherzer, it was all about focusing and sticking with the game plan. “You really can’t focus on the ballpark per se. I was more focused on the quality of their hitters. And making sure I was executing pitches throughout the whole night. Even when I was behind in the count, never giving in in a situation where it could cost me. They’re a very good power hitting ballclub. For me it was making sure whether it was a fastball or off speed pitch that no matter the situation I had to execute it no matter what,” said Scherzer.

Aside from evening up the series heading to Detroit, Scherzer has helped put the Yankees in their nightmare scenario. Game three will be the long awaited duel between Justin Verlander and C.C. Sabathia. Every game is a must win, but the Yankees feel a bit extra pressure due to the inconsistency of their game four starter, A.J. Burnett. Burnett wasn’t supposed to start in this series, but the rainout has forced him into action. If Verlander does dominate the Yankees and lead the Tigers to a game three victory, the Yankees’ season will come down to A.J. Burnett, their much maligned and most inconsistent starter.

But, that is still a game away. For now, both teams will trust their aces in a series that has been marked by superstar play. Robinson Cano and Miguel Cabrera have each seized the spotlight thus far. Now, it is the pitchers’ turn. With the specter of A.J. Burnett on the horizon, the Yankees will be a desperate team in game three. Although Burnett is perfectly capable of dominating a start, the circus that his presence brings with the media questions and anxiety of every pitch will loom over game four, especially if the Yankees are down 2-1.

Quick Cuts

The Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander was the most dominant pitcher in the game en route to 24 wins. Jose Bautista didn’t match his 54 home runs of a year ago, but had another 40+ home run season. Lance Berkman looked like his career was done in 2010, but he hit 30 home runs this season and is an NL MVP candidate. Jacoby Ellsbury was the king of the AL DL a year ago, but this season was a candidate for both the comeback player of the year and AL MVP awards.

Curtis Granderson had a bust out season, topping 40 home runs for the first time in his career. Teammate Derek Jeter picked up his 3,000th hit, while another, Mariano Rivera, broke the all-time record for career saves. Across town, Jose Reyes won his first batting title in what might be his last year as a Met.  Albert Pujols had an “off” year and still hit 35 dingers and Matt Kemp met and exceeded all expectations.  With all of that in mind, the finalists for the individual awards in each league should look something like this…

AL MVP – Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano (NY), Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS), Jose Bautista (TOR), Justin Verlander (DET)

AL Cy Young – Justin Verlander (Det)

AL Rookie of the Year – Jeremy Hellickson (TB), Ivan Nova (NY), Eric Hosmer (KC), Mark Trumbo (LA), J.P. Arencibia (TOR)

AL Manager of the Year – Manny Acta (CLE), Jim Leyland (DET), Ron Washington (TEX), Joe Girardi (NY)

AL Comeback Player of the Year – Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS), Melky Cabrera (KC)

NL MVP – Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder (MIL), Matt Kemp (LA), Lance Berkman (STL), Justin Upton (AZ)

NL Cy Young – Ian Kennedy (AZ), Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee (PHI), Clayton Kershaw (LA)

NL Manager of the Year – Kirk Gibson (AZ), Ron Roenicke (MIL), Clint Hurdle (PIT), Charlie Manuel (PHI)

NL Rookie of the Year – Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel (ATL), Danny Espinosa (WAS), Javy Guerra (LA)

NL Comeback Player of the Year – Carlos Beltran (NY,SF), Lance Berkman (STL)

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